Division

I listened to a sermon this morning about division. In many Christian churches the Gospel for the day was from Luke, and I’m paraphrasing but God said in Luke that even among families there will be division.

How true, right?

I found it interesting this morning that the pastor spoke about earthly divisions (and we see them everywhere), and that it is Christians who have faith and the Holy Spirit to help them, and yes, that following God can sometimes bring division. There is a cost to discipleship.

I certainly understand that. Being a Christian is not easy sometimes, and being a follower of Jesus and his message of love can put you at odds with society’s standards.

But here’s the thing…

It is within the Christian community where I struggle when I see all the divisions happening now. I get that the Christian community is large, and churches and denominations vary and they interpret Scripture differently. Some are ‘word for word’ Bible believers. Some are open to a wider understanding, and realize the writers of the Bible lived in a time long ago, in a place different from here and now. The words of God and Jesus do not change, but the environment has.

I tend to fall into that second group. In fact, I like nothing more than to have a good discussion about what the writers were trying to say, and what they stressed and why, and why Jesus did what he did. And, how Jesus turned the world upside down. And why. And what does God want from us. And, how in control is God. The questions are endless. There is so much to study, to discern, to try and understand. Theologians spend their whole lives at it.

So, I believe the division in the Christian community comes from wanting to be right on what the Bible says. It’s a human flaw… wanting to be right. (I know I suffer from it.) Wanting to make the Bible say what you want it to say. And, when you have a preacher, or an ‘expert,’ stand up and tell you each week what it says, you agree with them and it feeds you. It makes you feel that your way is the right way. If not, you leave that church and you find one that does. Right?

There are many, many choices in churches. Many divisions within the Christian community. Many varying beliefs on social issues. Abortion. The death penalty. War. Environmental care. Genders. Roles. Etc. Etc. There are Conservative Christian churches all the way to liberal ones.

But, here’s the thing: ALL CHURCHES believe and teach that God is love. End of story. Beginning of how we live. God showed love through Jesus. Jesus taught love – to everyone. The Bible is filled with verses that tell us to love. All the writers agreed: God is love.

So, how can there be so much division if we are all to love?

Christian love. There are no asterisks after it. God never said love only people like you. Love only those who believe like you do. Love only those who have the same skin color, or sexual identity, or financial wellness, or language, or education, or who live in the United States of America.

We can be divided on whether you like organ music at church, or prefer guitars. You can choice a big church with lots of events, or a small one where you know everyone. You can pick a church that is in a huge building or one in a storefront. You can love pomp and glitz, or prefer a laid back feel. It’s all out there.

But, truly, how can Christians be divided on love??

Yet we are.